Suzuki Training Committee

STC Members at the 2026 Conference, from left to right: Charles Regauer, Karyn Grove-Bruce, Kelly Williamson and Mark Mutter (on screen), Erin Rushforth, Aubrey Faith-Slaker, Gretchen Grube, Manuela Iparraguirre, Kirsten Marshall, Kyra Sovronsky, Libby Armour, Danette Warren, Stacy Garner. Photo credit: Andy Braddock

ABOUT

The Suzuki Training Committee is an advisory committee that supports the Executive Director and SAA staff in ensuring Teacher Development courses offered by the SAA maintain the vision and direction of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. The committee provides support and advice to the Executive Director, ensuring that the SAA meets its mission to, “improve the quality of life in the Americas through Suzuki education,” and to “create a learning community which embraces excellence and nurtures the human spirit.”

The Suzuki Training Committee (STC) will include 10-20 SAA members who meet the eligibility requirements listed below. We seek individuals willing to volunteer their time, effort, and energy toward making our teacher development stronger. The group meets approximately once per month. Terms for committee members last 2-3 years, and the committee’s size may vary to ensure overlap between new and existing members.

Application Call
Deadline: June 8th, 2026
Application linked below!

Who can apply

Teacher Trainers OR current SAA Members who have maintained membership for at least five (5) years and have completed a Certificate of Achievement

Exceptions:

  • As Brass is an area of development, we will consider brass musicians with fewer than 5 years of membership or who have not completed a Certificate of Achievement.
  • A Certificate of Achievement is not required for teachers based in Latin America.
An Ideal Applicant:
  • Meets the criteria above and agrees to the responsibilities below
  • Honors and values diverse perspectives and backgrounds
  • Demonstrates a deep commitment to the Suzuki Method
  • Demonstrates a commitment to the philosophy of Suzuki, including a history of upholding the SAA’s Aspirational Code of Ethics
  • Demonstrates a willingness to represent member perspectives and a willingness to connect with members of the SAA
  • Brings multiple perspectives, such as experience as an Institute or Festival Director, experience in Latin America, or a background as an administrator
Considerations for 2026 Applicants:

In addition to the above, we particularly encourage applications from teachers in the following areas: bass, brass, cello, harp, recorder, SECE, and voice. Teachers with experience working with digital media and experienced SAA Evaluators are also encouraged to apply.

STC Commitments:

STC members are asked to:

  • Volunteer 2-4 hours per month to the SAA
  • Attend STC Meetings online and in-person (see the tentative schedule here)
  • Attend SAA community gatherings, such as the Leadership Summit, Conference, We Are Suzuki, and the Annual General Meeting
  • Represent specific instruments or instrument areas and connect with members whose instrument areas fall within your role on STC. Members may also collaborate with any active instrumental committees.
  • Be part of a subcommittee – see the list of subcommittees below
  • Work collaboratively with teachers and leaders who may have differing perspectives, opinions, and experiences
  • Read and uphold the SAA Community Guidelines and the SAA’s Aspirational Code of Ethics as befits a representative of the SAA

Ready to Apply?

As part of the application, you will be asked to upload your resume and answer these short essay questions:

  • What makes you a strong candidate for this committee, and what do you hope to contribute?
  • What do you believe should be our top priority for the next year?
  • How do you work in a group setting? How do you navigate differing opinions, and what are some strategies you have for moments when tensions feel high?
  • Choose one of the following questions:
    • Do our course offerings uphold the vision and philosophy of Dr. Suzuki? How do our courses meet this vision, and how can we improve?
    • How can we ensure our courses are relevant to teachers’ needs today, while also honoring the history and legacy of the philosophy and Method?
    • What are the impacts of our online training courses? How we can improve them?

You will also be asked to provide the name, phone number, and email address of two (2) references, who can speak to your qualifications in relation to the skillset needed for STC members.

APPLY BY MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2026

Submit the application form linked below, and please use your own words to express your perspectives. Applications will close at 11:59pm PT on Monday, June 8th (extended from June 1st). New committee members will be announced at the Annual General Meeting in July and will begin onboarding this fall. See the tentative schedule here.

Note: you cannot save the application and return to it later. Prepare your essay questions first, then complete the form.

Please check back spring 2027.

All applications will be reviewed by members of the Suzuki Training Committee and SAA staff. If you have any questions, or want support through the application process, please reach out to us at [email protected].

CURRENT MEMBERS

Kyra Sovronsky, Brass (outgoing May ’26)

Wendy Stern, Flute

Kelly Williamson, Flute & Institutes (outgoing May ’26)

Manuela Iparraguirre, Guitar & Voice

Mary Kay Waddington, Harp (outgoing May ’26)

Aubrey Faith-Slaker, Piano

Sachiko Isihara, Piano (outgoing May ’26)

Danette Warren, SECE (outgoing May ’26)

Charles Regauer, Viola & Institutes

Karyn Grove-Bruce, Viola & Institutes (outgoing May ’26)

Fernando Piñero, Violin (outgoing May ’26)

Gretchen Grube, Violin

Kirsten Marshall, Violin & University Training

Libby Armour, Violin

Mark Mutter, Violin

Stacy Garner, Bass & Suzuki in the Schools



Subcommittees of STC

Subcommittees are focused on specific areas of teacher development and programming of the SAA, in alignment with its strategic plan, mission, vision, and values. If you have a question or thought related to one of these areas, please reach out to a member of the subcommittee.

Continuing Education for Teacher Trainers:
Charles Regauer, Kirsten Marshall, Mark Mutter, Kelly Williamson, Aubrey Faith-Slaker

SAA programming for young people:
Manuela Iparraguirre, Gretchen Grube

Supporting Practice Partners
Karyn Grove-Bruce, Wendy Stern, Stacy Garner, Libby Armour

ECC Refresh (this is a booklet redesign)
Karyn Grove-Bruce, Danette Warren, Kyra Sovronsky

Evaluation Committee (focused primarily on the Certificate of Achievement)
Mary Kay Waddington, Sachiko Isihara

Updated 4/28/2026